Outgoing Associate Provost for Academic Affairs to become Provost at Emmanuel College

As he listened to the tributes by President Paula Milone-Nuzzo and Provost Reamer Bushardt during a goodbye breakfast on Tuesday, Peter Cahn marveled at how he was being honored. After all, the associate provost for academic affairs wasn’t retiring, but instead, was leaving for another school. Yet here he was, the center of attention.

“I thought, ‘What a testament to the type of institution this is,’” said Cahn. “I'm going to another institution, and yet they're still honoring me in such a public way, which I felt really speaks to the values of this place.”

Cahn is leaving to become the vice president of academic affairs (provost) at Emmanuel College; his last day on campus is today.

As a few dozen well-wishers crowded into a second-floor room in Building 39, Milone-Nuzzo ticked off Cahn’s accomplishments during his 13 years at the MGH Institute:

· Supported faculty development activities

· Twice led the MGH Institute’s New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accreditation efforts

· Twice served as Interim Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

· Served as interim Provost after Alex Johnson retired

· Provided oversight of Continuing Education & Professional Development

· Helped create the Community Excellence Course (formerly PPP)

· Led the Institute’s interprofessional competencies initiative

· Served as the Institute representative to many professional organizations

· Served on more committees than anyone at the Institute

“Peter has had so many significant contributions in shaping the academic enterprise at the IHP,” said Milone-Nuzzo. “But even more than that, I see him as someone who aspires for excellence in everything he does and helps other people get to that point as well. He is such an amazing, thoughtful, and gentle leader.”

Bushardt calls Cahn a transformative leader, who has brought passion, integrity, an inclusive spirit, and a drive for excellence to everything he has done.

“We're going to miss Peter because he's one of those people who is so deeply immersed, knowledgeable and engaged with the community,” said Bushardt. “He knows what teachers care about, he's really engaged in service work and has firsthand involvement in what's happening from innovation to curriculum to community engagement. And he just really is very curious about our people and our community.”

The MGH Institute — and its community — have certainly benefitted from Cahn’s leadership during its seismic growth, from the creation of the Schools of Nursing, and Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, to the nurturing of research, and interprofessional practice and education. These projects and others were put on Cahn’s plate because of the Institute’s small size and because at the time he was hired he was the only associate provost.

“My portfolio was everything,” noted Cahn. “I had to nurture a lot of things that were nascent. Now we have an associate provost for research and for students, and now there is a dean for interprofessional practice and education who leads multiple full-time employees and a whole slew of projects and outcomes. Similarly, on the research side, we didn't have Nara (Gavini, Associate Provost for Research), and that clearly needed something, but I was able to be there at the beginning and stand those up so that they could become separate entities.”

Cahn looks back fondly on his role as a central administrator because it enabled him to be involved with all aspects of the Institute — students, academics, and those who work here.

“My specific role has been one of support, helping, and giving resources. I haven't had to say no to a lot to people. I'm thinking, that’s why I have this fan club,” said Cahn with a chuckle, “because I've been charged to go and help people. Faculty and staff can come to me knowing that I'm probably not going to deny them anything. I'm going to only try to answer their question or help. I feel that it's been a hallmark of my time here, getting to work with people and see them grow.”

At the Institute, Cahn says he grew up as a higher education administrator and will take with him lessons learned, among them, the importance of workforce development, establishing relationships, having a clear strategy, and communicating it over and over.

“Because as many times as we put it in the email and in the newsletter, and say it at the meetings, someone's not ready to hear it,” said Cahn. “And having that personal relationship helps build trust, so that when the message is conveyed, it does land. And then people know where you're coming from so that they have a sense of why you're doing things. Being accessible helps so that people at least understand and hopefully, if they don't agree, they respect the decisions we make.”

Respect is what so many have for Cahn, who has done everything asked of him, and has helped make the Institute a better place.

“It's the humanity and the care for others and that nurturing of our people that is such a gift we have with him here,” observed Bushardt. “He has a real humility about him and a way to celebrate people's ideas and their talents, so that's something we’re going to miss.”

“Peter is the provocateur that every committee, group and task force needs at a meeting to explore alternate ideas, different approaches and new ways of thinking,” Milone-Nuzzo told the gathering at the goodbye breakfast. “I am so excited that he is having this opportunity to lead the academic portfolio at Emmanuel. I know we are going to miss him on so many levels and I hope there will be opportunities to build bridges between our two schools.”

As he transitions from one school to another, Cahn notes it’s the people — particularly supervisors — who can impact one’s experience in the workplace.

“I've had the best bosses,” concluded Cahn with a smile. “Who your direct supervisor is often makes a big difference in your workplace experience. From Alex (Johnson) and now Reamer, I’ve had people who respect, challenge, and inspire me; there have also been presidents, like Paula,  and my colleagues—they are all examples that I know are going to be the angels on my shoulder as I move into a new setting.”

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